Color rheostat



Jan. 4, 1927. 1,613,337

H. c. WELLER COLOR RHEOSTAT Filed Dec. 1922 Sheets-Sheet 1 46 I R 6 3,5 4, 4? 5' gama/falzz g ATTORNEY ably,

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,7 bu bs except two series which Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

HERBERT G. WELLEB,..OF TUSCOLA, ILLINOIS.

COLOR RHEOSTAT.

Application filed December 30, 1922. Serial No. 610,060.

This invention relates toa color rheostat or a color device for mixing, blending and shifting. colors of electric lighting, and an object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature by means of which electric lights of primary or original colors preferor any different colors, may be com blned in intensities of various proportions through the introduction of difi'erent amounts of resistance into the color circuits so that lighting effects of various'colors will "Another object of this invention is to provide a device as specified which will keep the light intensities of the various resultant colorcombinations the same, throughout or during-and after the process of shifting. v

A'further objector this invention is to provide a. color rheostat or shifting device for electric lights which is particularly designed for laboratory use, for use in advertising, or intheaters, or for any purposes where it is desirable to shift electric lights from one color to another, and one which i will eliminate the necessity of shifting electime lights and mediums wherever difierent color eliects 'are desired, and one which will give arelatively great variety of color combinations. Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for-automatically breaking electric circuits to all of the series of the operator desires to blend at any one time.

Qther objects of the invention will appear in the following detailed description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of. the color rheostat, and the circuits embodied therein,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the rheostat taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is 'a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4: is 'a' face view of the rheostat.

Referring more particularly to the draw-- iiig's, and with particular reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the improved color rheo stat comprises a plurality of. conductive contacts 6* to C inclusive which are connected to each other by resistance coils R Tserues c contacts are to R -inclusive. The contacts (3 to C inclusive are divided in series and these connected by 'Silltflblfi supported by conducting wires to rows of electric incandescent bulbs, preferably, of primary colors. For example, the contact C is connected to the series of light bulbs B (luctor L, L 48, switch 46, conductor 47, and line wire L The contact C is connected to the series of light bulbs B through conductor L L 47, and-line wire L The contact C is connected in series with the light bulbs B by the conductors L, L 48. switch 46, con- (luctor 47, and line wire L While the contact C 3 is connected in series with the light bulbs B by conductors L L 3, 48, switch 46, conductor 17, and line wire L.

he various series B B B and B are connected in circuit with one pole of a generator, dynamo, or other suitable power source 20. The opposite pole of the power, source 20 is connectedby a wire G to a disc 21 of suitable conductive material, which is a sleeve 22 of insulation. The sleeve 22 of insulation is mounted upon the post 23 of the housing 24 of the rheostat. The disc 21 is in turn connected by resistance coils 25 and 2-6 to the contacts T through conand T of the inner circle of contacts, T

The various contacts T are supported within to T inclusive. to C and T to the housing 24 and are insulated from each other and from the housing by suitable insulation as shown at 27 of Fig. 2. The contacts T, T, T and T are connected'in series by suitable conducting wires 28, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, these contacts corresponding to the contacts C C C9 and C, which are connected to the series of electric light bulbs. The alternate contacts of the inner contacts are connected to each wires 29, namely the contacts T T '1129 T14 a d T18 other by T T, T", connected by the wires The contacts T T, T p are connected to the'disc 21 by suitable connecting wires 30. it. switch .arm 31 is rotatably carried by the post 23-;i'and comprises an arm 32 which. is adapted to enga e an one of the outer circle of contacts C to F and an arm 33 which is adapted to contact with any one of the inner circle of contacts T to T". A. suitable thumb nut 34: is provided .ior rotating the switch arm 31 and an indicatin hand '35 is carried by the thumb nut 34 an is adapted to cooperate with graduations 36 48, switch 46, conductor T circle of g respectively, as clearly shown in primary colors so that by movement of the pointer 31 various color effects may be obtained by variation of the resistance through the series of bulbs, and by closing a circuit through certain of the series.

In following out one of the circuits, namely the one shown in operative position in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the current will flow from the dynamo or current source 20, through the wire G to the disc 21, from the disc 21 through the resistance 26 to the contact T and through the wires 29 and the respective contacts to the The current will flow through the arm 33, to the contact C which is engaged by the arm 32 of the switch arm 31 and from the contact C through the resistance R to the contact C and out through the various condoctors and switch 46 into and through the series of bulbs B returning to the power source or generator 20. It will be noted that there is only a single resistance, namely the resistance R between the farm 32 of the pointer and the outlet wire L while there are three resistances, namely the resistances R R and R between the arm 32 and the outlet wire L to the series of lights B thereby a greater amount of current will flow through the series of lights B than through the lights 13 making the former lights brighter and consequently providing a'color effect in which the primary colors of the bulbs B will predominate.

It will be seen that by shifting the pointer 31, the amount of resistance through the various circuits may be varied to make the color of any oneof the series of light bulbs of the predominating color in the color efl'ect produced.

The mechanism for automatically breaking the circuits to all of the series of bulbs other than the two which the operator dethe series of contacts C to C respectively and consists of a plurality of conductors such as L L L and L. The conductor L connects the contact C to the semi-circular conduct/or L. The conductor L conmeets the contact C to the substantially semicircular conductor L while the conductors L and L connect the contacts 6 and C to thesemicircular conductors L and L Fig. 1 of contact T, which is engaged by the arm 33.-

. conductors.

sires to blend at any one time lies'without the drawings. Conductors L, L, L .and L are disposed in parallel relation to the conductors L L L and L respectively and are insulated therefrom by means of suitable strips 40 of insulation, which strips are carried by the conductor supporting ribs 41 formed on the casing 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The arm or end 32 of the pointer 31 has bridging contacts 43 and 44 carried thereby which are insulated T from the pointer by suitable blocks 45 of insulation.

When the end 32 of the pointer 31 is not above or passing over L and L the circuit from the contact C to the,line L is broken but when'the end 32 is over or passing over the conductors L and L connection is made by means of the bridge or riding contacts 4A, thus the current will be cut off between them or prevented from passing to L and L but will be permitted to pass to L and L and when the current is permitted to pass to any two series of the light bulbs, no current will be permitted to pass to the remaining set or sets of bulbs. 0

Switches 46 are provided for connecting the respective conductors L and L, L and L, L and L and L and L respectively by means of conducting wires 47 and 4:8 and when it is desired to permit the energizing of more than two sets of bulbs the parallel pairs of conductors may be connected by the respective switch structures' A switch structure 50 is provided by op- 1 eration of which the current can'be made to divide between only the lines D and L or between only L and L and if it is so desired there may be a switch (not shown) by which all the lines can be opened or 105 closed at one time. without the use otthe bridge or riding contacts 43 and it, such switch would preferably be located to establish connection between the L and U If it is so desired. a dimmer of approved type. which may'hke the form of either a resistance or an im edance coil, depending upon whether the circuit is direct or alternating current may be conected in a shunt circuit with the wire G by the switch structure 49 so as to permit varying of the intensity of any one combination or color eflect at any time; also it' it is desired to make the various shades or colors lighter, this may be done by installing a separate circuit or series of white light bulbs as-indicated at 51,! in combinationgwith the dimtact strips and a tac'ts, a plurality of elements arranged between the series of contacts, an

w certain of said contact no tween said inner spaced contacts,

the respective contacts connected in contacts, said 5 I claim is 1. in a color rheostat a plurality of c011- tacts, conductors connecting certain contacts in groups, resistance] elements connecting other contacts in groups, a plurality of conthe contacts and combinations.

2. A color rheostat series of contacts,

contact strips in various comprising aninner contact strips,

outer contacts, conductors connecting the inner contacts in various groups and means i'oiztaking .current from the inner contacts passing it 2 to the outer contacts and further bridging certain of said contact strips. 3. A color rheostat comprising an inner tacts, a plurality of contact strips, resistance 5 elements arranged between the outer conconductors connecting the inner contacts, tacts in various groups and means for taking current from the inner contacts passing it to the outer contacts and further bridging strips, and individual switches for the contact strips.

In a colorrheostat, an outer circle of spaced contacts, resistance coils connecting said contacts,-'a plurality of series of light 3 bulbs, series of said contacts connected to the respective series or light bulbs, an inner set of contacts, certain of said inner set of contacts connected in sets, a power source, and adjustable means establishing connection beand outer sets of contacts, power source and series of light bulbs.

5.111 a color rlieostat, an outercircle of spaced contacts, resistance coils connecting said contacts, a plurality of series of light to bulbs, series of said contacts connected to the respective-series of light bulbs, an inner set of contacts, certain of said inner set of con tacts connected in sets, a power source, "a movable switch arm engagin the series of to the contacts in said inner an outer sets of contacts, said pointer movable to-regulate the resistance to energizing current flowing to the resipective series-of light bulbs. I

6. In a color rheostat, ail-outer circle of resistance coils connecting a plurality of series of light of said contacts connected to series of light bulbs, an inner set of contacts, certain of saidinner set of sets, a power soui:ce,:a

said contacts, bulbs, series movable switch arm the contacts in said inner and outer sets of pointer movable to regulate the resistance to energizing current flowing to the respective series of light bulbs, and

with a plurality of contact. arm for bridging.

an outer series of con-' resistance outer series of contween the units,

strips to the other side engaging the series of.

"means for varying the intensity of the energizing current flowing to said contacts.

7. in a color rheostat, the combination series of light bulbs, and a source of energizing current, of a plurality of contacts, resistance coils connecting said contacts, a movable circuit closer movable over said contacts to proportiona-lly vary the resistance'to energizing current flowing to the respective series of light bulbs, and means for automatically breaking the circuit to "all other series of bulbs other than two series which it is desired to blend.

8. in a color 'rheostat, the combination with a plurality of series of light bulbs, and a source of energizing current, of a plurality till of contacts, resistance coils connecting said] contacts, a movable circuit'closer movable over said contacts to proportionally vary the resistance to energizing current flowing to the respective series of light bulbs, and

lift

means for automatically breaking the circuit disposed contacts, resistance units disposed concentrically with respect to the contacts, elements connecting said resistance units together providing a continuous circuit becontact strips arranged concentrically with respect to the. resistance units, means providing a connection between certain of the contact strips and the ele- "ments, means for connecting the contacts to one side of an electrical circuit, means for connecting the other or the contact strips to the other side of the electrical circuit, and a member movable over said elements and said contacts and bridging said contact strips.

10. A colorrheostat including circularly disposed contacts, resistance units disposed concentrically with respect tothe contacts, elements connecting said resistance units together providing a continuous circuit between the units, contact strips arranged concentrically with respect to the resistance units, means providing a connection between certain of the contact-strips and the elements, means for connecting the contacts to one side for connecting the other of the contact of the electrical circuit, a member movable over said elements and said contacts and brid ing said contact strips, means for optionally connecting said certain contact strips tothe "circuit connecting means of the other of the contact strips, and means for moving said member.

11.. A color rheostat including circularly ofan electrical circuit, means till llllll iaa disposed contacts, resistance units disposed concentrically with respect to the contacts,

elements conne ing said resistance units together providing a continuous circuit between the units, contact strips arranged concentrically with respect to the resistance units, means providing a connection between certain of the contact strips and the elements, resistance elements having connection to certain of the contacts, means for connecting' the resistance elements to one side of an electrical circuit, means for connecting certain, of said contacts in groups, other resistance eleniients means for optionally connecting the other resistance elements in circuit with the circuit connecting means of the first mentioned resistance elements, means for connecting" the other of the contact strips to the other side of the electrical circuit, and. a member movable over said elements and said contacts and bridging said contact strips.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HERBERT G. WELLER. 

